1. Talk about a time when you felt desperate enough to beg Jesus for something. What was the outcome?
Ask two people to read aloud John 4:43-54; 5:1-14, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize the passage.
2. Why do you think the royal official (a person of status and authority) came to Jesus and begged him for help?
3. When Jesus told the man, “Your son will live,” the official “took Jesus at his word and departed.” How can we emulate that kind of unwavering faith in our own lives?
4. What does the response of the royal official’s family to his son’s healing teach us about the impact we can have for Christ on those around us?
5. Why is it important for us to put our faith in Jesus apart from signs and wonders?
6. The disabled man at the pool of Bethesda could never get to the water in time. What barriers in our lives might prevent us from experiencing Jesus’ transforming power?
7. Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath. What does this teach us about Jesus’ priorities in relation to rules and traditions?
8. After his healing, why did Jesus warn the man to stop sinning?
9. How does this encounter illustrate the idea of both physical and spiritual healing?
10. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on John 9:1-7, 13-16, 24-38. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Christian Standard
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